5 Things You Need To Know About A Crown Cap Procedure

The field of dentistry has made various options available for the replacement of one, multiple or all teeth in the oral cavity, one of them being dental crowns. Commonly referred to as tooth caps, or simply crowns, this dental restoration can prove to be an impressive dental fix for an array of problems, related to either, alignment, shape or colour of one or more teeth. As of today, there are many people on the verge of opting for this restorative treatment option.

Sadly, few of them do not go ahead with their plan as they get influenced by the limited knowledge others have about dental crowns. Read the core facts elaborated below, following which all your doubts regarding dental crowns will be clarified leaving no scope for dental myths.

5 Things You Need To Know About A Crown Cap Procedure

Dental Crowns Can Camoflauge A Number Of Tooth Related Issues

A dental crown or crown cap is a restoration that fulfills the aesthetic and functional needs of many patients. The situations in which dental crowns prove to be of immense use are as follows- A non vital tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment or a vital tooth which even though contains unaffected, healthy tissue or pulp, has undergone substantial damage confined to the outer layers (enamel and/or dentin) owing to carious exposure or traumatic injury. The purpose is to protect and support the weakened tooth structure.

That’s not all, the other scenarios, which call for, placement and snug fit of the fabricated crown over the real tooth include coverage of the implant that emerges from within the jaw bone. Patients with crooked teeth or those with malformation in the shape of their teeth can always resort to dental crowns. Lastly, these caps form an indispensable component of dental bridgework which takes up the edentulous span as a pontic.

Even A Cracked Tooth Calls Out For A Dental Crown!

One of the most frequent reasons for undergoing the two step procedure, known as dental crown, is trauma resulting in a fractured tooth.

The increased sensitivity of the cracked tooth structure towards temperature changes, pain on mastication (particularly food items with a solid consistency) as well as painful response of the gums and joint, necessitate the fabrication of an artificial restoration that prevents the direct transfer of stress over the already weakened or chipped tooth.

The Materials In Which Dental Crowns Are Manufactured

There are a number of materials used for construction of dental crown caps. The ones made out of cast gold do not form an esthetic choice for a majority of patients. Regardless of its exterior, such crowns have an excellent performance profile, for example, long lasting durability and strong resistance to fracture or wear. An all-porcelain (tooth coloured) dental crown is the complete opposite of cast gold, in terms of colour and somewhat in strength. This type of material is the closest one can get to natural tooth colour. It is the perfect option for front teeth but not for the ones at the back as it cannot withstand the heavy chewing forces and movements.

Porcelain fused to metal is a mixture of the above two materials and can be described as a metal crown that has a fine layer of tooth coloured material over all tooth surfaces, except the one facing the tongue or palate. The final decision rests on the patient’s opinion and the dentist’s judgement.

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Verify The Colour Of Your Teeth Prior To Crown Placement

It’s true! There is a logical explanation for it. Once the restoration has been cemented onto the real crown structure, there is no dental treatment that can help alter the existing teeth whiteness.

Thus, if you want to flaunt sparkly white teeth, it would be better for you to undergo an In-office or At-home whitening procedure before giving your nod to the final placement and adjustment of the artificial crown. Make up your mind as this decision plays a decisive role in influencing the correct shade selection for the crown.

The Crown Cap Procedure Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of

Many patients turn skeptical at the time of undergoing this harmeless procedure. Take a look at the step wise sequence of the crown cap process given below. As the cap needs a certain amount of space to seat itself over the tooth, without impinging on the nearby soft tissue or adjacent teeth, tooth surface reduction needs to be done. If the tooth involved has vital pulp, it needs to be anesthetised prior to the tooth cutting procedure. The numbing sensation ensures complete comfort for the patient.

However, there is no need for administration of local anesthesia in treated teeth (root canal treatment). Once the crown cutting has been done, an impression is recorded, which is later sent to a dental laboratory for the fabrication process. As long as your final crown is not ready, a temporary crown will be cemented. Which part of it sounds scary to you!